Christmas 2008

Christmas with close friends - 19 Dec

This year, Christmas with close friends took a slightly different slant from previous years. On a friend's suggestion, we were each given a card and everyone must write something about that person in the card. So we took some time passing the cards around. Until then, we didn't realise how long since we wrote a heart-felt card for someone and how we rusty we had become in our writing skills. We laughed and teased one another about taking forever to write something but it was really fun and meaningful.

The cards that contain all the heart-felt words from good friends.

This year's celebration was at a friend's house. Her mom is a marvellous cook, so we decided to go there every year. This decision was made without her mom's consent. Ha ha...

Friends for 20 years...

Friends for 24 years...

Christmas Treat at Changi Airport Terminal 3 - 21 Dec

We went to Changi Airport Terminal 3, Candy Empire to get some chocolates and candies as Christmas gifts. Because my hubby and I spent more than $60 each, we were each given a pass to enter the Candy House where we could collect free candies. Of course, we gave the pass to the princes. Upon entering the Candy House, the princes were each given a huge plastic cup to put as many candies as they wanted into the cup. The glee on their faces were palpable as they surveyed the area and stuffed as many of their favourite sweets and chocolates into the cup. The candies were just ordinary candies, but the thought of stuffing all the candies they wanted into a huge cup somehow made it a treasured experience.

The hansel and gretal candy house.

The anticipation...

The loot...

Christmas in the office - 24 Dec

A few of our colleagues ordered a Haagen Daaz ice-cream cake and bought some chips to celebrate on Christmas Eve (who works on Christmas Eve anyways?). We played a game called Guessture - something like charade on steroids. One person would act out the words on 4 cards, which would drop one by one into a box based on a timer. So the team members must guess the words before the card disappears into the box. A really fun charade with an edge.

The cake has a layer of chocolate and another layer of strawberry cheesecake ice-cream.

The mayhem...

The pressure...

And the many butt pointing...

Christmas with the relatives - 24 Dec

Every Christmas Eve is spent at my parents' place where all the relatives gather. It's like a preview to CNY, except that it's better because there are always presents and good food, gossips and casual banter. CNY tends to be less relaxing, with all the protocol and the pressure to remember who to give angbao to.

Glorious food...

A lot of pressure taking picture with the young ones. The cousins look 'power' with youth and beauty on their sides...

Sister-in-law and cousins. Less pressure now...

Tradition!!

As my older prince pointed out, it is our family tradition (we do a short dance with a finger pointing to the sky and say 'tradition' loudly, much like the father in 'Fiddler on the Roof' film) to go to Seah Street Deli at Raffles Hotel every year to have our dessert after the Christmas Eve party.

Traditionally, we also allow the princes to open one present on Christmas Eve every year. The rest of the presents can only be unravelled on Christmas Day itself.

Every year, we take a picture with the big Christmas tree in front of Raffles City Shopping Centre. I guess it is important to establish and observe family traditions. It gives a purpose to events like Christmas and brings the family closer. Even a 10 year old knows that :)